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George H.W. Bush Moved Out of ICU

Former first lady Barbara Bush discharged from hospital Monday

Former President George H. W. Bush, shown here with President Barack Obama in 2013 celebrating the 5,000th Daily Point of Light Award winner, is expected to be discharged from the hospital in the next few days. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images file photo)
Former President George H. W. Bush, shown here with President Barack Obama in 2013 celebrating the 5,000th Daily Point of Light Award winner, is expected to be discharged from the hospital in the next few days. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images file photo)

Former President George H.W. Bush is expected to be moved from intensive care on Monday and could be out of the hospital by the end of the week, his doctors said.

Former first lady Barbara Bush, who had been hospitalized with her husband, was discharged on Monday, physicians from Houston Methodist Hospital said in a news conference.

“Mrs. Bush has been discharged from the hospital and President Bush will be moved from the ICU to a regular floor today. So, both doing really really well.” Dr. Amy Mynderse said.

The 92-year-old Bush was admitted to the hospital Wednesday after experiencing shortness of breath. Barbara Bush, 91, was admitted afterward because of fatigue and coughing.

Neither were able to attend the swearing-in of President Donald Trump on Friday.

“President Bush had pneumonia, a bacterial pneumonia, and is making daily improvements. Mrs. Bush had a viral bronchitis and was really just kind of running herself ragged trying to be up here with him. And so more for precaution than anything, we kept her for a few days to try to get her back in better shape,” Mynderse said.

According to a news release from Bush spokesman Jim McGrath, Mrs. Bush could have been discharged on Sunday, but opted to wait a day to “continue her recovery and be closer to her husband.”

The couple has been married for 72 years.  

 

Asked when the former president might be able to leave the hospital, doctors were cautious about setting a date.

“He still has a fair amount of coughing. We are addressing that with varied breathing treatments,” said Dr. Clint Doerr.

“A Friday discharge might be a little bit optimistic, but Friday or over the weekend.  It’s a bit of a moving target,” said Doerr.

In the meantime, Bush is in good spirits.

“He is sitting up, watching TV and is waiting anxiously for his favorite oyster stew for lunch. He’s on minimal oxygen, joking and laughing with the nurses and doctors,” Mynderse said.

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